The UN Secretary-General says that because of its nature, intensity, and consequences the war in Ukraine is one of the greatest challenges ever to the international order and the global peace architecture.
The Secretary-General, António Guterres, today, addressed the UN Security Council.
„We are dealing with the full-fledged invasion, on several fronts, of one Member State of the United Nations, Ukraine, by another, the Russian Federation – a Permanent Member of the Security Council – in violation of the United Nations Charter, and with several aims, including redrawing the internationally-recognized borders between the two countries.“
At right is Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of April, and at left is Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of United Arab Emirates to the United Nations.
Guterres said the war has led to senseless loss of life, massive devastation in urban centres, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Horrifying images from Bucha
„I will never forget the horrifying images of civilians killed in Bucha. I immediately called for an independent investigation to guarantee effective accountability. I am also deeply shocked by the personal testimony of rapes and sexual violence that are now emerging.“
The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths is visiting Russia and Ukraine to press for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire.
The war has displaced more than ten million people in just one month – the fastest forced population movement since the Second World War.
Guterres said that as Secretary-General of the United Nations, it is his duty to call the attention of the Security Council to the serious damage being done to the global economy, and particularly to vulnerable people and developing countries.
„Far beyond Ukraine’s borders, the war has led to massive increases in the prices of food, energy and fertilizers, because Russia and Ukraine are lynchpins of these markets.
It has disrupted supply chains, and increased the cost of transportation, putting even more pressure on the developing world.“
The UN analysis indicates that 74 developing countries, with a total population of 1.2 billion people, are particularly vulnerable to spiking food, energy and fertilizer costs.
„For all these reasons, it is more urgent by the day to silence the guns,“ Guterres told the Security Council.
